Walks from Lenham

North Downs footpaths, little-used field paths, rape seed fields and woods.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: Can be overgrown.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

A marginally shorter, more off-road route via Bexon and Bottom Pond. Includes a short and apparently permissive path down the side of an orchard. No shops or scheduled buses on the route. There are no shops or scheduled buses on the route. A tearoom at the Bredgar model railway site was recommended (check opening hours).

Time: 4h30–8h30

Lunch: A tearoom at the Bredgar model railway site is on the route (check opening hours); otherwise no shops or scheduled buses.

Warnings: The permissive orchard-side path between Bloody Mary Lane and Stratton Street may not work out; carry an OS map for nearby alternatives. Lenham station is not near the village-centre start point.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h30–11h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A route designed to stay on higher land, easier going than nearby routes but with still-waterlogged fields near Westwell and several wide deep puddles on the Pilgrims Way towards the Lenham end. Varies between arable fields, grazing, woodlands, farm tracks and small lanes and separate footpaths; the North Downs Way runs just below the steeper slope with views across the vale. Follows the Pilgrims Way / North Downs Way for easier navigation. The pub in Westwell is closed. A small detour reaches Charing, a pretty village with places to eat, shops and a station. Roman snail shells can be found near Cobham Farm.

Time: 5h30–10h30

Lunch: The pub in Westwell is closed; a detour to Charing reaches several places to eat and shops.

Warnings: Designed for very wet conditions with high groundwater, flooding and frequent waterlogged fields, with deep puddles on the Pilgrims Way needing leaping or hedge-clinging.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A varied route of town pavement walking, parkland, field and copse paths, with the highlight a path around Leeds Castle. Many stiles and gates, some road crossings and several overgrown or hard-to-follow field crossings. Just over halfway, a path takes you round Leeds Castle, giving a view from its rarely photographed side. The route can be split at Leeds Castle.

Time: 4h30–9h30

Warnings: Some road crossings need care, notably across the A20. The route is easy to lose in places (near Chambers Farm above Stoneacre and after Chegworth Court Farm), with signage leading across a waist-high rapeseed field that was inaccessible without diverting. Many stiles and gates.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

North Downs footpaths, little-used field paths, rape seed fields and woods.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: Can be overgrown.

Source: A longer variant of Lenham to Charing – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).